I Wanted Outright Removal of Fubara, But Tinubu Saved Him – Wike.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he initially pushed for the outright removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara but that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention ultimately saved the embattled governor.
Wike made these remarks during a recent media discussion in Abuja, shedding light on the political crisis that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. The emergency rule saw Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature suspended, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) appointed as administrator.
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Expressing his dissatisfaction with the situation, Wike stated:
“As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”
The former Rivers governor, who remains a key figure in the state’s political turmoil, insisted that Fubara’s position was already untenable before Tinubu’s decision.
“The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him,” Wike asserted, suggesting that without Tinubu’s move, Fubara would have been completely ousted.
The rift between Wike and Fubara has been a major talking point in Nigerian politics, with the two figures locked in a fierce power struggle. The declaration of a state of emergency further escalated tensions, raising questions about democracy and federal intervention in state affairs.
While Wike’s latest comments confirm his aggressive stance against Fubara, they also highlight Tinubu’s role as a mediator in the crisis. Analysts suggest that the president’s decision may have been a strategic move to prevent a full-blown constitutional crisis while temporarily stabilizing the state.
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With the state under emergency rule and an administrator in place, the political future of Rivers remains uncertain. Will Fubara return to office once the emergency period ends, or will the power struggle take another turn?
What do you think about Wike’s revelation? Should Tinubu have allowed Fubara’s removal, or was the state of emergency the right call? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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